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Ravens overcome sluggish offense, beat Browns

Published On: Nov 04 2012 04:09:25 PM CST

NFL

CLEVELAND -

Joe Flacco connected with Torrey Smith on a 19-yard touchdown reception with 4:26 remaining in the fourth quarter as visiting Baltimore overcame a sluggish offensive performance to maintain its mastery over its AFC North rival.

Ray Rice and rookie Bernard Pierce had rushing touchdowns on the first two drives for the Ravens (6-2), who saw their offense go limp as Phil Dawson kicked five field goals to give the Browns (2-7) a 15-14 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

Baltimore answered on the ensuing possession as Smith capped a nine-play, 81-yard drive with a nifty spin move on cornerback Joe Haden before finding the end zone. A turnover on downs led to rookie Justin Tucker's 43-yard field goal as the Ravens posted their 10th consecutive victory over the Browns.

Rookie Trent Richardson rushed for 105 yards, but Cleveland was unable to find the end zone despite venturing into the red zone on five occasions.

Rice opened the scoring by scampering eight yards around the left end for a touchdown. He finished with 98 yards.

GAME NOTEBOOK: The Ravens, who mustered zero net yards in the third quarter, managed their initial first down of the second half after Flacco found Anquan Boldin for a 21-yard reception with 8:39 remaining in the fourth quarter. ... Richardson tied a Browns rookie record by rushing for at least 100 yards in three games this season. ... Baltimore's Cary Williams, who sealed the Week 4 victory over Cleveland with an interception for a touchdown, picked off rookie Brandon Weeden in the third quarter.